Fishing pole supports

ABSTRACT

A pair of coacting reversely mounted support brackets receive the butt and rod ends of a pair of fishing poles in reverse direction to support the same securely beneath the roof of a cabin cruiser or the like. The rods are stored out of the way in overhead positions. Positive locking means on the brackets assure that the rods will not drop due to vibrations or movement of the boat. The locking means are releasable manually.

United States Patent [1 1 Riddle et al.

, [451 Feb. 19, 1974 FISHING POLE SUPPORTS [76] Inventors: Franklin D. Riddle, 24 Maulden St.,

Greenville, S.C. 29601; John T. Willis, 5391 NW. 167th St., Miami, Fla. 33169 [22] Filed: Mar. 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 235,430

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 73,999, Sept. 21, 1970, Pat. No.

[52] U.S.-Cl. 211/60 R, 24/157 P, 211/63, 224/421 C, 224/4245 R, 248/201 [51] Int. Cl. A0lk 97/10, A47f 7/00 [58] Field of Search 211/60 R, 4, 60 G, 62, 63,

211/67, 68; 248/201; 224/421 C, 42.1 G, 42.46 R, 42.45 R, 39 R, 37; 24/157 P, 158 P;

' [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 754,794 3/1904 Nordt 24/157 P 1,213,276 1/1917 Schroetter 24/157 P 1,563,777 12/1925 Morehouse 24/157 P 1,894,164 1/1933 Doht 211/68 X 3,291,427 12/1966 Hutchings 211/60 R X 3,487,947 1/1970 Bogar 211/60 R 3,524,572 8/1970 Hall 211/60 R X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 98,129 6/1898 Germany .1 211/62 Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Abraham Frankel Attorney, Agent, or FirmB. P. Fishburne, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A pair of coacting reversely mounted support brackets receive the butt and rod ends of a pair of fishing poles in reverse direction to support the same securely beneath the roof of a cabin cruiser or the like. The rods are stored out of the way in overhead positions. Positive locking means on the brackets assure that the rods will not drop due to vibrations or movement of the boat. The locking means are releasable manually.

2 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB 3 9 I974 SHEET 2 0F 2 FISHING POLE SUPPORTS This is a division of application Ser. No. 73,999 filed Sept. 21, 1970 now US. Pat. No. 3,672,513 issued June 27, 1972.

The object of the invention is to provide a more secure and reliable overhead supporting means for large fishing poles on deep sea fishing boats and the like. Various means are known to support such poles and some of the means are rather haphazard and unreliable with the results that the heavy poles sometimes drop when the boat moves in the water. The present invention securely supports fishing poles, in an overhead horizontal position and secures them in this position against accidental displacement by a simplified positive locking means which can be released very easily at any desired time to remove the rods or poles. The objective of the invention is accomplished with economy and with materials which resist corrosion and are rugged and durable so as to be long-lasting in use. Each companion pair of supporting components in the invention is constructed to support a pair of fishing poles extending in opposite directions side-by-side. A number of poles can be supported beneath the ceiling of a cabin cruiser in this manner with security.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the interior of a boat equipped with fishing pole supports in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of one support bracket or component of a pair embodying the invention, some parts being in section.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 2 showing the pole locking means in a release position, FIG. 2 illustrating the pole locked in the supported position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rotary locking cylinder or plug.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modification of the pole supporting bracket.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the same in the locked position.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded elevational view of releasable locking means.

FIG. 10 is an end elevation taken on line l010 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 1 l is a similar view taken on line 1l11 of FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like parts and directing attention first to FIGS. 1 through 5, the roof or ceiling of a cabin cruiser is indicated in FIG. 1 upon which are mounted coacting pairs of hangers or support units for fishing poles 21 according to one form of the invention. It can be noticed in FIG. 1 that the units 20 are arranged in longitudinally spaced opposed pairs and although each unit is structurally identical to every other unit, the coacting pairs are reversed end-for-end in use so that the poles or rods 21 are supported in side-by-side parallel oppositely extending relation close to the roof or ceiling 22. This arrangement of the invention units is adhered to throughout the several forms to be described and therefore FIG. 1 is typical with respect to all forms or modifications and therefore the illustration need not be repeated. The objective achieved in all forms is the secure supporting or storage of large fishing poles in an out-of-the-way overhead position without fear of having the poles fall accidentally and yet allowing their removal for use without difficulty at any time.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 through 5, each unit 20 preferably comprises a wooden or plastic plate-like body portion or bracket 23 adapted to be secured edgewise and vertically to the ceiling 22 by screws 24 or the like-at the opposite ends of the bracket. Each bracket is provided near one end with a relatively large circular through opening 25 adapted to receive and support removably the butt or handle 26 of one fishing pole 21 in the manner described in connection with FIG. 1.

Near its opposite end, each bracket 23 contains another through opening 27 having an intersecting radial slot 28 opening through the lower edge of the bracket 23 when mounted in the use position. Rotatable in the opening 27 is a two-section preferably nylon or plastic cylinder or plug 29, FIG. 5, having half sections 30 secured in assembly by a suitable fastener 31. The locking cylinder 29 is flanged on its opposite end as at 32 for preventing axial displacement in the opening or bore 27. The cylinder 29 also has a radial axially extending groove 33 opening through both ends thereof adapted to accommodate the slender tip portion 34 of a pole 21 and this groove is of the same width as the slot 28 and adapted to register therewith, FIG. 4, when the cylinder 29 is rotated to the pole-releasing position. In such position, the groove 33 faces downwardly. In the pole-securing position, FIG. 2, the groove 33 is upwardly directed and spaced from the slot 28.

In order to releasably lock the cylinder 29 in the position shown in FIG. 2, at least one detent recess 35 is formed in the periphery of the cylinder, FIGS. 3 and 5, and receives a radial locking pin 36 contained within a ,bore 37 of the bracket 23 and urged forwardly by a spring 38 within this bore.

The pin 36 is capable of being manually retracted by a sliding thumb button 39 on one side of the bracket 23 carried by a pin 40 which moves laterally in a guide slot 41 in the bracket 23. By this means, the locking pin is removed from the recess 35 so that the cylinder 29 may be turned to the release position of FIG. 4 for easy removal of the fishing pole. While in the release position, the nose of the pin 36 simply rides on the smooth periphery of the cylinder 29, and when the rod tip 34 is re-introduced into the groove 33 and the cylinder is turned to the locking position, FIG. 2, the pin will automatically drop into the recess 35. Thus the fishing poles are stored in a very secure manner and may be removed for use or replaced in their mountings with ease.

FIGS. 6 through 11 show a modification of the invention wherein each pole supporting unit or bracket 42 is very similar to the bracket 20 and embodies a large opening 43 near one end to receive the pole butt 26, as described previously. A rotary plastic cylinder or plug 44 is provided near the other end of the unit 42 for the purpose already described of supporting and releasably locking the rod tip portion 45. This cylinder 44 is substantially identical in construction to the previously described cylinder 29, and has the same peripheral locking recess 35 as shown in FIG. 5 for the same purpose.

In lieu of the pin 36 and thumb button 39 of the previous embodiment, a plunger 46 is contained within a threaded guide sleeve 47 mounted within a threaded opening in the body portion 48 of bracket 42, FIG. 8. The plunger 46 includes a stem 49 equipped with a finger knob 50 accessible at one end of the bracket 42 radially of the cylinder 44. A compression spring 51 in the bore of guide sleeve 47 urges the plunger 46 constantly toward the recess 35 and the plunger is retractable from the recess by means of the knob 50. The sleeve 47 is adjustable within the threaded opening of the body portion 48. As best shown in FIG. 9, the knob 50 is provided at its forward end with a cross rib or projection 52 adapted to enter a cross groove 53 in the opposing end of the sleeve 47 when rotated into alignment with this groove the end of the sleeve 47 having a reduced opening 54 to slidably receive the stem 49. The tip of the plunger 46 may enter the locking recess 35 when the rib 52 enters the groove 53. When the knob 50 is retracted and rotated to bring the rib 52 out of alignment with the groove 53, the rib will ride up on the end face 55 of the sleeve 47 so as to hold the plunger 46 out of the recess 35. At this time, the cylinder 44 is freed for turning to the release position exactly as described in the previous embodiment. When the cylinder 44 is returned manually to the locking position shown in FIG. 7, a mere turning of the knob 50 until the rib 52 registers with the groove 53 allows the plunger 46 to drop into the locking recess 35. The overall mode of use is exactly the same in all other respects with the prior form of the invention in FIGS. 1 to 5.

lt is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. A support structure for fishing poles comprising a companion pair of units adapted for attachment to the ceiling of a boat in spaced aligned relationship, the units of said pair being reversed end-for-end to support a pair of poles in side-by-side longitudinally oppositely extending relation, each unit comprising a plate-like body portion disposed vertically during use and having a relatively large through opening near one end to receive removably the butt end of a fishing pole for supporting such end, each unit having another through opening near its opposite end, a rotary cylinder mounted within the second-named through opening and having a peripheral recess adapted to receive the tip of a fishing pole, and a coacting slot in the body portion of the unit adapted to register with said recess of the rotary cylinder and allowing entry of said tip into the recess, turning of the cylinder then carrying the tip to a supporting position where the recess of the cylinder is remote from the slot, releasable detent means on the body portion engageable with the cylinder to secure it in said supporting position remote from said slot, said detent means comprising a spring-urged plunger disposed radially of the rotary cylinder and adapted to enter a peripheral locking recess of said cylinder to releasably secure the cylinder in said supporting position, and means to retract said plunger, said last-named means comprising a cross pin intersecting the plunger, said body portion having a guide slot for the cross pin formed therein permitting lateral movement of the cross pin, and a thumb button on one end of the cross pin adjacent one side of the body portion to facilitate moving said cross pin and plunger.

2. A support structure for fishing poles comprising a companion pair of units adapted for attachment to the ceiling of a boat in spaced aligned relationship, the units of said pair being reversed end-for-end to support a pair of poles in side-by-side longitudinally oppositely extending relation, each unit comprising a plate-like body portion disposed vertically during use and having a relatively large through opening near one end to receive removably the butt end of a fishing pole for supporting such end, each unit having another through opening near its opposite end, a rotary cylinder mounted within the second-named through opening and having a peripheral recess adapted to receive the tip of a fishing pole, and a coacting slot in the body portion of the unit adapted to register with said recess of the rotary cylinder and allowing entry of said tip into the recess, turning of the cylinder then carrying the tip to a supporting position where the recess of the cylinder is remote from the slot, releasable detent means on the body portion engageable with the cylinder to secure it in said supporting position remote from saidslot, said detent means comprising a spring-urged plunger disposed radially of the rotary cylinder and adapted to enter a peripheral locking recess of said cylinder to releasably secure the cylinder in said supporting position, and means to retract said plunger, said detent means comprising a pull knob secured to said plunger, and means on said pull knob engageable with a part on said body portion to releasably hold said pull knob and plunger retracted. 

1. A support structure for fishing poles comprising a companion pair of units adapted for attachment to the ceiling of a boat in spaced aligned relationship, the units of said pair being reversed end-for-end to support a pair of poles in side-by-side longitudinally oppositely extending relation, each unit comprising a plate-like body portion disposed vertically during use and having a relatively large through opening near one end to receive removably the butt end of a fishing pole for supporting such end, each unit having another through opening near its opposite end, a rotary cylinder mounted within the second-named through opening and having a peripheral recess adapted to receive the tip of a fishing pole, and a coacting slot in the body portion of the unit adapted to register with said recess of the rotary cylinder and allowing entry of said tip into the recess, turning of the cylinder then carrying the tip to a supporting position where the recess of the cylinder is remote from the slot, releasable detent means on the body portion engageable with the cylinder to secure it in said supporting position remote from said slot, said detent means comprising a spring-urged plunger disposed radially of the rotary cylinder and adapted to enter a peripheral locking recess of said cylinder to releasably secure the cylinder in said supporting position, and means to retract said plunger, said last-named means comprising a cross pin intersecting the plunger, said body portion having a guide slot for the cross pin formed therein permitting lateral movement of the cross pin, and a thumb button on one end of the cross pin adjacent one side of the body portion to facilitate moving said cross pin and plunger.
 2. A support structure for fishing poles comprising a companion pair of units adapted for attachment to the ceiling of a boat in spaced aligned relationship, the units of said pair being reversed end-for-end to support a pair of poles in side-by-side longitudinally oppositely extending relation, each uNit comprising a plate-like body portion disposed vertically during use and having a relatively large through opening near one end to receive removably the butt end of a fishing pole for supporting such end, each unit having another through opening near its opposite end, a rotary cylinder mounted within the second-named through opening and having a peripheral recess adapted to receive the tip of a fishing pole, and a coacting slot in the body portion of the unit adapted to register with said recess of the rotary cylinder and allowing entry of said tip into the recess, turning of the cylinder then carrying the tip to a supporting position where the recess of the cylinder is remote from the slot, releasable detent means on the body portion engageable with the cylinder to secure it in said supporting position remote from said slot, said detent means comprising a spring-urged plunger disposed radially of the rotary cylinder and adapted to enter a peripheral locking recess of said cylinder to releasably secure the cylinder in said supporting position, and means to retract said plunger, said detent means comprising a pull knob secured to said plunger, and means on said pull knob engageable with a part on said body portion to releasably hold said pull knob and plunger retracted. 